Chipping in to help golf

National governing body Scottish Golf has made £685,000 available to affiliated clubs who have been affected financially by COVID-19 as part of a support package funded by the R&A.

The grants will be made available via two separate allocations – the COVID-19 Fixed Costs Grant and the Club Relief Fund – and applications are now welcome.

The COVID-19 Fixed Costs Grant will enable every affiliated club in Scotland to apply for a maximum of £500 for costs specifically associated with preparing for safe play and club/course management following the lockdown.

These can include sanitation products, COVID-19 related health and safety equipment, professional fees, signage, training, video conferencing licences and any other virus-related spending.

To apply, clubs are required to fill out a short application form confirming details about the club and only one application per club will be accepted.

The Club Relief Fund has been created to provide financial support to clubs who have been impacted by the pandemic.

Grants available range from £1000£5000 and the fund is concentrated on enabling clubs to reinstate or to increase expenditure in key areas to either improve member experience or boost income generation potential.

The long-term impact of COVID-19 on the golfing landscape is still unknown, but the fund is aimed at helping clubs take the first steps to recovery. The application process for both the COVID-19 Related Fixed Costs Grant and the Club Relief Fund is now open and will close on Friday, July 24.

Assessment of all applications will be undertaken during the week beginning July 27 with decisions being communicated by Friday, August 7. At that point, successful clubs will be asked to complete a final sign-off document, including bank details for payment.